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JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



frequently tested this curious fact, and vouched for its truth. The only 

 interpretation which seems feasible is that the stones in some way 

 impede the circulation, but it is not clear how this is effected. 



Mr. Harry was not without his Fig-trees, so common in Malta, but to 

 see tall branching trees devoid of leaves, as in midwinter, some fifteen 

 feet high, clothed below to some eight feet with scarlet Pelargoniums in 

 full vigour, presents a curious contrast. 



I must not conclude without a tribute to the owner's great liberality, 

 for though he delighted in his flowers without, and, I may add, his 

 extensive and valuable collection of curios within his house, his friends? 

 and the writer included, well know how often are their own drawing-rooms 

 brightened by a floral display, which at once betray their source at St. 

 Julian's, such as large sprays of white and pink Almonds, Irises, Pelar- 

 goniums, Tea and other Roses, bunches of yellow Cassia and scarlet 

 Bignonia. Accompanying them are the following wild flowers, which I 

 gathered from the rocky valleys on the south side of the island : — Bunches 

 of Erica multiflora, Narcissus Tazetta, Rosemary, Asphodelus ramosus, 

 Orchis fusca and saccata ; while the fields, &c, have furnished the scarlet 

 Adonis Cupaniana and purple Anemone coronaria, the pink Silene sericea, 

 and the yellow Chrysanthemum coronarium. 



Commercial Wild Flowers. — As there are no professional florists 

 in Malta, the peasants collect great quantities of wild flowers, which they 

 sell in Valetta for decorative purposes. The following are the most 

 important from the point of view under consideration : — 



Acanthus mollis and A. spinosus. — These occur in many of the rocky 

 valleys. The form of the leaf is familiar to the reader, as it is carved on 

 the Corinthian capitals. It is often grown in wild parts of gardens, 

 where its handsome leaves are very effective. 



Adiantum Capillus- Veneris. — This is the only Fern which is really 

 common in caves and elsewhere in Malta. 



Adonis antnmnalis. — Many fields are sometimes almost scarlet in 

 places where this plant grows ; great quantities are sold in the streets. 

 There is a variety called citrina, which has generally golden-yellow petals. 

 It is a degraded form, and appears to be a reversion. Orange-coloured 

 flowers are occasionally met with. 



Amygdalus communis. — The Bitter and Sweet Almonds are much 

 grown, t tnd bear profusely. Though not truly wild in Malta, the flowers, 

 pink and white are often cut for decorative purposes. 



Anemone coronaria.— The purple flowers of this species are dotted 

 about the fields in many places ; a large bunch can soon be collected by 

 jumping over the wall of a field, which has no gates, only loose stones 

 piled up where the gate ought to be. There is no variation in the wild 

 species, but it gives rise to many different colours under cultivation. It 

 is grown in several gardens. 



Antirrhinum majns and A. siculum. — The two species are plentiful in 

 certain places ; the former abounds on the walls and rocks round the 

 orange groves of Boschetto, on the south side of the island. It is the 

 ordinary purple form of our English gardens. A. sicultim has a rather 



